If your attic doesn’t have enough insulation, you’ll pay more for heating and cooling and find it hard to keep your home comfortable. In our climate zone, the Department of Energy recommends having a total of R-60 on the attic floor for maximum energy efficiency.
How Much Attic Insulation Should You Add?
If your attic floor has some insulation but you can still see the top of the joists, you need to add more to bring the total R-value up to the recommended level. To find out how much you should install, first you’ll need to measure the R-value that’s already in place. This is easy to do – simply extend a tape measure down between the joists until it contacts the attic floor, then measure up to the top of the insulation.
Now you can calculate the total R-value that’s there by multiplying the depth measurement figure by:
- 5 for loose fiberglass
- 2 fiberglass batt
- 7 for loose cellulose
Once you know how much is installed, you can use the above multiples to determine the correct amount to add based on the type of insulation you decide to use.
Types of Attic Insulation
There are two main types of insulation used on attic floors:
- Blown-in loose fill. This comes in either cellulose or fiberglass, and it’s a good choice if your attic has numerous obstructions or hard-to-reach-areas. If you decide to install it yourself, rent a blower machine and make sure the insulation is level in all areas.
- Rolled batt. This fiberglass insulation comes in various widths, so pick the one that matches the distance between your attic joists. If there are batts already in place, install the new layer running perpendicular to it so you can cover the joists. Begin around the attic perimeter and work your way toward the access hatch.
Remember – when you’re topping off existing insulation, you don’t have to go with the same type as long as you reach the total recommended R-value.
For help determining whether your Indianapolis home has enough attic insulation, contact us today at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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